The Dungeon Cleaning Life of a Once Genius Hunter - Chapter 190
190
190
“But technically…”
Karma Corporation Headquarters CEO’s Office.
In front of me and Director Ha Seong-il, Director Lee Ah-young opened her mouth insinuatingly.
“Isn’t the Hong Kong branch part of the Chinese association anyway?”
“If you think about affiliation, yes. But… it’s a bit complicated. Well, most of them are diplomatic issues…”
Director Ha Seong-il answered first.
He kept pausing as if he couldn’t figure out how to explain it.
In the end, I continued the explanation on his behalf.
“There has been a lot of talk since we first established the branch. “It would be natural for there to be opposition since we were establishing a branch in a region that was clearly separate from the mainland due to politics and economics… but at the time, it was not a situation that could be strongly rejected.”
This is because it was not long after dungeons began to appear.
At the time, Hong Kong, like other countries, did not have any subjugation infrastructure in place. Therefore, they could not do anything to stop the Chinese branch of the association from entering.
No matter how much you don’t want to mess with it on the mainland, you have to deal with monsters anyway.
“If you think about it, China used its brains well. A hand that can never be shaken off was reached out at the right time. Thanks to this, I was able to exert influence in Hong Kong, which I had not been able to easily touch before.”
“Then what’s more, it means that the Hong Kong branch is directly under the Chinese association. “I don’t really understand where it’s complicated.”
“Didn’t the independence movement break out in Hong Kong a few years ago?”
“Ah…”
Only then did Director Lee Ah-young also seem to have come to terms in his head.
It’s easy to forget something.
Even if you say it was a few years ago, it was a whopping 20 years ago.
“Of course, it wasn’t a successful result, but it was still an achievement. “Because they pushed out all the executives from the mainland within the branch.”
“Oh no… isn’t that huge?! If you think about it, you made the branch independent from the mainland?”
“Well, considering the number of people who died in the process, it should be said that it was a minimal result.”
He said, reminiscing about the news before returning.
The tense situations broadcasted on the airwaves passed through my mind.
“So did China really back down so obediently?”
At that time, Director Lee Ah-young asked.
“It had to be that way. “At the time, quite a few countries were supporting Hong Kong’s independence, so it would have been obvious to take action further.”
I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“In any case, the current Hong Kong branch is only a Chinese association, and the actual operating rights are held by Hong Kong. Dungeon raids and operations are all carried out independently. But from China’s perspective…”
“It would be annoying. “It is an independent branch that is not influenced by the headquarters…”
I nodded at her immediate answer.
“As you know, China is wary of Hong Kong becoming an independent power. It’s not even anything else, it’s a punitive organization. “They are probably still trying to take over the branch.”
Of course, there are some fortunate aspects for China.
The Hong Kong branch is still officially part of the Chinese association.
But in that situation, if we take over the Hong Kong branch….
“China won’t sit still….”
“Yes. “If my affiliation changes, I won’t be able to dream anymore.”
Her expression hardened as if she understood the situation properly.
It’s not that it’s not, but this acquisition proposal is not just a part of business.
The moment we touch the Hong Kong branch, there is a high possibility that it will turn into a diplomatic issue between Korea and China.
“That’s why we got caught in the most annoying place.”
“Of course… that’s true.”
Director Lee Ah-young acknowledged, crossing his arms.
“So you’re just going to give up?”
“well. “First, we need to figure out whether the Hong Kong branch is worth acquiring.”
As he said that, he looked at General Manager Ha Seong-il.
Overseas business was his responsibility.
He handed out the documents he had prepared as if he had been waiting for them.
“To be honest, from a business perspective, there is nothing bad for us. The monthly subjugation amount, operation success rate, and hunter quality are all excellent. Above all, there don’t seem to be any major internal problems.”
“Hmm…”
“If we take over, it will definitely be a great help in keeping the International Association in check.”
“Then it would be good for us. By the way, there is no problem, so why did they bother to propose a merger or acquisition to us?”
“That’s…”
When I asked, Director Ha Seong-il looked quite serious.
“This is not official…”
He continued speaking in a low voice, looking around for no reason.
“Are you aware of the recent rumor that the Chinese Association is withdrawing from the International Association?”
“Yes, I heard that.”
“From what I heard, the International Association is going out of its way to stop it.”
“…?”
My eyebrows twitched.
All of a sudden now?
I guess the Chinese association wouldn’t be that beneficial in subjugation, right?
“I don’t know what their plan is… but it seems like the Chinese association is essential for future work.”
“Does that have anything to do with this?”
“My guess is yes. There is talk that a deal is being made to prevent the withdrawal of the Chinese association. “If they can prevent secession, they will be willing to grant whatever China wants.”
“Wait a minute, if that’s what the Chinese association wants…”
“It would be the Hong Kong branch.”
Director Ha Seong-il nodded and answered.
“It seems like the Chinese association is trying to move forward in earnest. “It also relies on the international association.”
“Are you saying that the news reached the Hong Kong branch’s ears too…?”
“I see it that way.”
In that case, it is understandable that they proposed a merger and acquisition to us first even though there were no problems.
Currently, Hong Kong has its own fairly solid system, but it is essentially part of the Chinese association.
In such a situation, if the mainland tries to retake the country in earnest with the International Association on its back… there is no way for the branch to stop it.
The achievements that were only achieved through countless sacrifices in the past will be completely taken away.
From the Hong Kong branch’s perspective, this must be prevented at all costs.
The easiest way to do that
is to transfer the branch to another location.
‘Damn it. It’s completely intertwined with national issues…’
This is not a high level of probability.
It’s 100%.
This incident turns into a diplomatic issue the moment we touch the Hong Kong branch.
“So what do you want to do now?”
“It’s definitely a coveted place, but….”
What do you gain by taking over the Hong Kong branch?
Needless to say, it is advantageous both geographically and economically.
However, the risks involved exceeded what we could resolve.
“I don’t think this is a matter for us to decide.”
I guess I’ll need another method.
“Mr. Lee Ah-young, do you still have the Blue House Chief of Staff business card that you received the other day?”
“…yes yes.”
“Please set a meeting date right away. “As soon as possible.”
I took my coat.
“I need to talk to the president.”
***
A few days later, in the Blue House reception room.
“From the Hong Kong branch?”
I told everything to President Cho Hyun-min, who took the time to spare me.
Sure enough, he looked troubled as if he understood the entire context of those few words.
“Hmm, if we accept it too hastily, our relationship with China may sour.”
“That’s why I came to see you because I thought I needed your judgment.”
“Haha, thank you for your consideration.”
President Cho Hyun-min bowed his head.
And after thinking for a moment, he opened his mouth.
“Honestly… the government does not see much benefit from taking over the Hong Kong branch. “I think it has a big business element.”
“I know.”
“Compared to that, the risk we have to take is too great. “As you know, honestly, there is nothing good about our country’s confrontation with China.”
President Cho Hyun-min said with a very regretful expression.
Well, I understand.
No matter what the evaluation of each country is, diplomacy is not an issue that can only be dealt with emotionally.
If we could create and terminate national relationships at will, we wouldn’t have had to worry about this in the first place.
Well, it’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do.
As long as the President says that, the Hong Kong branch matter…
“But the situation has changed a lot in the past few days.”
At that time, President Cho Hyun-min spoke immediately.
“The day the International Association announced that it would monopolize punitive power, I honestly thought there was no hope. “I thought that since there was no way they would accept me as a member of the International Association as long as I was holding back, I thought that subjugation on my own would no longer be possible.”
“….”
“But somehow, a hero risked his life to stop it. “And he’s a businessman, not the military or the government.”
…Are you talking about me?
I think something has been glorified too much.
“Thanks to that goodwill, Korea made a comeback. In such a situation, it would be funny to just push the government’s position. “We haven’t done anything.”
“no. And that’s because the President is there…”
“Don’t do that. “I feel more embarrassed.”
When he tried to speak boldly, President Cho Hyun-min firmly blocked him.
He looked at me with a very serious expression and asked.
“Can I ask just one question?”
“…Please speak.”
“Do you think taking over the Hong Kong branch will help keep the International Association in check?”
“I can assure you.”
When I answered immediately, President Cho Hyun-min smiled as if he had been waiting.
“Then that’s it. Please proceed.”
“…Are you sure it’s okay?”
“A true leader speaks with his feet, not his mouth.”
He stood up first and continued speaking.
“I believe in the footprints that CEO Kim has left.”
“….
What are you talking about?
“CEO Kim, please don’t worry about anything from now on and just focus on the acquisition. “I will take responsibility for the rest.”
“…All right.”
Well, it’s a thorny path no matter who sees it…
But I guess I’ve got permission, so I guess I’ll just have to do it right.
I raised one corner of my mouth.
***
Hong Kong branch of the Chinese Association located in Tsien Shaju, Hong Kong.
“An official notice has been sent from headquarters saying that department reorganization is in progress.”
Amid a serious atmosphere for several days, the assistant secretary delivered an urgent report to branch manager Hwang Ga-hwi.
“Anyway… I think they’re really starting to move forward now.”
“Has there been any contact from Karma Corporation yet?”
“Yes, not yet. I guess I won’t be able to do anything about it too quickly…”
“Damn it!”
Branch Manager Hwang slammed the desk.
Yes, I know.
Didn’t you say that the CEO there was a very smart guy?
You probably know what will happen if we hold hands.
There is no reason to take over us considering such a big risk.
I understand that I cannot be proactive.
I understand, but…
‘Then what should we do now…’
This is the right to operate that was barely obtained through the sacrifice of countless citizens.
If this is taken away, Hong Kong will go back to how it was before.
Above all, it is clear that only subjugation will be carried out by the mainland and for the mainland.
We must defend the branch for the sake of those who sacrificed their lives for Hong Kong.
But…
‘There is no more way…’
Director Hwang lowered his head in deep despair.
But then.
“Branch Manager Ji!”
Suddenly, an administration employee burst into the office.
And a word to say.
“I received a call from Karma Corporation!”
“…!”
Even though it was belated, a ray of hope began to appear.